Good day to be a republican: Student reflect on new election and four more years of Bush
Nina Acosta
11-19-04

President Bush won re-election on November 2 with 286 electoral votes and 51% of the popular vote. Republicans dominate the both houses in the senate over Democrats. So what will happen now?
    "I'm mad. I don't like Bush! I feel that the election should have gone Kerry," says freshman Raven Villalobos.
    "I can only see the economy going down. President Bush made a mess his first four years, he should now work to clean it up. I also see the war continuing," says junior Vanessa Hill.
    But is the U.S doomed because Bush won and Republicans dominate, and do Colton High students really care about the election or even our president's policies? "I am very happy that Bush won the election. If I could have voted I would have voted for him mainly because of his stand points," says senior Efrain Esparza.
Not all students are thrilled with President Bush's policies. Some even seem to think they are "old-fashioned" and prejudiced. Is Bush being unfair?
    "I think Bush's ideas on abortion and gay marriage are outdated and naïve," says senior Gina Hernandez.
    Or is he trying to hold onto some "old-fashioned" moral values?
    "I back up Bush's standpoints because they are based on Biblical values and I believe they are morally right," says senior Annadena Ramirez.
    Since Bush is still in office, we won't be coming home from playing "peace keepers" in Iraq any time soon. The majority of Colton students seem to be opposed being there. But do they really understand that we are there to help until Iraq can manage on their own? Or is the U.S playing "big brother" to a country that insists that they do NOT need our help?
    "I really don't think that we should've even started a war with Iraq," says senior April Baca. "But since we're already in there, and just pulling troops out wouldn't exactly be the smartest thing to do, I supposed that we should at least finish what we started down there," .
    "We are spending too much time in Iraq. We already caught Saddam Hussein, so why are we there?" says freshman Joey Villanueva.
    It doesn't matter whether you welcome Bush with open arms, or a pitchfork. Democrat, Republican alike, we are in for a real rollercoaster in the next four years.
    "There is no sure answer for what will happen in the next four years," says junior Randy Diaz, "but what is apparent is that our economy will face a downfall with all the money bush wastes on this dumb war."
    "We'll still have to deal with the war," says Johnny Ortega Jr.
    "I think the next four will be the same as the last four, war, biases, and a Bush in office!!" says senior Gina Hernandez.

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20/15 pass policy has campus buzzing
Elysa Arroyo
11-19-04

    A memo dated November 3, 2004 and addressed to the staff, described a new "20/15" policy that has been instated at Colton High School. The memo states:
    "We have recently had a large influx of students with restroom passes during instructional time. As a result, we are having students congregate, loiter, and we have also seen an increase of vandalism in restrooms. Therefore, effective Monday, 11/8/04, we will be implementing the 20/15 policy. This policy mandates that no passes be to be given during the first twenty minutes of class or during the last fifteen minutes of class. You may give passes in-between this time frame, only if there is an extreme emergency (nurse's office) or to the administrative offices. Thank you for your support and cooperation with this matter."(This is written exactly how it is put in the memo; not a single word has been altered.)
    According to a strict interpretation of this memo, which many teachers use, no bathroom passes are to be given at all, and no passes, no matter what (emergency or not) are allowed at the beginning or end of a period. According to the memo, any emergencies have to wait until the 20 minutes in the middle of class. Nowhere in the memo does it say anything about using professional judgment, like many students have been told.
"That's what I tell teachers in meetings," says Principal Harry Ervin, "use your professional judgment."
    "Professional judgment" is based upon many things and is used at a different standard by different teachers. "Individual teachers use their individual professional judgment," says Ervin. "Every class has different demographics. Professional judgment means, basically, that the students meet the AAA program." (that the student has good Attendance, good Academics, and a good Attitude.)
    "The first twenty minutes and the last fifteen minutes [of class] are critical elements of a lesson;" says Ervin. "They are imperative to the overall design of the lesson."
    Many teachers would say that the most important part of the lesson is the middle, because that is the core of their lesson, a fact that was brought to Ervin's attention by a student. That means that the teachers are going to be more reluctant to give bathroom passes to the students. "Exactly!" says Ervin. "You see, that means that there will be fewer students out of class, and that means that they will learn." He continues, "The breaks for bathroom passes really disrupt the flow of the lesson. The teacher can't even teach if they've got to spend all their time giving out passes."
    The goal of the 20/15 policy is to maximize instructional time, says Ervin. "It will ensure that students are all in class during the first and last parts of class." The policy also has to do with impeding the growth of vandalism in the bathrooms. "The bathrooms were being destroyed, so finally, I said 'Enough with giving out passes'" he says. "There aren't enough security [guards] to sit around and monitor every bathroom, (that isn't even their job) as well as the rest of the school. I just want kids in class."
    The students are concerned that Ervin is telling the teachers something different than he is telling them. "It isn't really the policy that bothers me," says senior John Suh. "It's the fact that he's telling me one thing and putting something else in writing." The new policy, and the reason behind it, is almost unanimously disliked by the students. "I think it [the policy] is stupid," says junior Janet Monterrosa, "I mean, we need to be able to go to the bathroom. They can't stop us from that. It's a necessity!"
    The policy, though, is not necessarily set in stone. "I don't think the issue [the bathroom policy] is closed," says Ervin. "I am open to suggestions from the students. I will consider any reasonable solution from the students."

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Renaissance Honors Veterans at luncheon
Alyssa Isgett
11-19-04

Thursday, November 10, the day before Veteran's Day, Renaissance showed their appreciation for the Colton High and school district veterans by serving them lunch and decorating room 503 in red, white, and blue. Treasurer Brittany Watson and President Amanda Carlstrom spoke and thanked the Veterans for all that they have done. Jazz band played music to show how thankful they are of the people who have served this country. As ROTC presented the flag, Tina Choiselat sang the National Anthem, and people stood to show their respect for the United Stated of America.
Lt. Col Dave Mahoney, who served in Somalia and served in the states for Desert Storm says, "I loved my experience serving my country. I liked each tour duty I had and I liked everything about it. I'd like to tell the students at Colton High School if they learn to be disciplined, then they will be successful as adults."
"Veterans Day is important because it honors the people who have served our country and fought for our freedom," says senior Billie Makshanoff, Renaissance Senior Representative. Tina Choiselat says, "Well I think that Veterans Day would stand for freedom, I mean coming from a family of veterans, I am very thankful that I am able to live in a country with so much liberty, we are very lucky."
The luncheon was 10:30 am through noon. When second lunch began and new staff and district members entered the room, the flag was presented for a second time as well as the National Anthem. Dr. Ken Clark, head counselor, served in the Vietnam War describes his experience as "life changing. I think it was probably the most interesting and life changing experience I have had, I have much greater appreciation for my country."
Veteran's Day is always November 11. It is set aside in remembrance and honor of the end of war in 1918 and 1945 and observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. to honor the veterans of the armed forces.
This Veterans day, the nation is at war in Iraq and Afghanistan.. Many people are serving our country by fighting for our freedom and unity as a nation. Dr. Clark says, "I support our military, I support the actions we our involved in 100 percent. In America we need to have an element of trust for people who are leading the country. Election is a time where we change or elect leaders. That is the beautiful thing about America. We choose our leaders and we must show our support." Custodian, Joe Lopez agrees: " War is life changing. It is a wake up; it makes you grow up right away. I support our troops. Students need to appreciate things you have. Remember the sacrifices that people have made for your freedom." Lt. Col Mahoney adds, "I support the troops in Iraq. I fully stand behind them, I'm American."
Dr. Clark summed up what many people at the luncheon felt. "I would like to tell the students that they need to appreciate what has gone on. Appreciate what you have and who has sacrificed. History is am important part of our heritage in America and we need to appreciate it. Freedom doesn't come without a cost."

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Best Dang Band anywhere!
Arline Cruz
11-19-04

The award winning Yellowjacket Marching Band have just concluded another awesome season. The band has won sweepstakes at all their competitions and placed 3rd out of eight bands at the Las Vegas Invitational. The returning members played a big part in getting the band on the same page this season.
    "This year started off slow because of the large amount of new band members," says band director Dr. Luis Gonzalez. "The whole percussion section were all brand new players so we had to focus on the basics but by mid - October, the band had found their beat and completed an outstanding season."
     The band is still on a roll. They will be marching in the Colton Christmas Parade. The band has also been accepted to march in the parade at Disneyland on December 16.
    With that said, the band is awesome and they rock your socks off. Way to go band!

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Alyssa Isgett
Should public displays of affection be banned? YES
11.19.04

We've all seen it, whether it is on campus, at the mall, a school function, or an outing with friends. He holds her hand, she wraps her arm around him, then next there are all those slow affectionate kisses followed by a shy smile and blushing cheeks. Public displays of affection: physically demonstrating liking for another person while in view of others. I don't know about you but as for me I don't like to see someone "making out" every time I turn a corner. What I dislike more than that are the couples who walk with their arms wrapped around each other, one person in back of the other, so they are walking as "one." Picture this, you are in a hurry to class and right there in the middle of the hallway, are two people, walking extremely slow holding hands, taking up the whole path to class, and holding everyone behind them up, and making students have to rush to class. What about the consideration of others? What if a couple is showing their affection for one another and it is offending someone else? We need to have respect for the other people around us by keeping these shows of affection to a minimum.
Then there is lunch, a break from all your classes. A time to eat and talk to your friends, or a time to catch up on your homework that is due next period. When couples are together at lunch, kissing and cuddling in the middle of everything and everyone, it does two things: one, it isolates the couple; and two, it makes it hard to communicate with them. Lunch is a time to socialize, not watch couples "hooking up." Public displays of affection should be left for when you are not at school and surrounded by your peers.
PDA's are gross! The affection between two people should be just that, between two people, not all the people around you. PDA's make the people around you uncomfortable.
Here is an alternative: instead of making the people around you uncomfortable, try keeping the affection you show in public to a minimum. Keep it to a handholding and a hug here or there and try to engage others in your conversation with your "other." Please remember the school campus is a public environment and students should refrain from PDA's that might offend others.

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Elysa Arroyo
Should Public displays of affection be banned? NO
11-19-04

Honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with public displays of affection. Due to conflicting schedules, a lot of times it's hard to see your boyfriend/girlfriend outside of school, and you want to spend as much time together as you can. I think it's completely okay to hold hand with your boyfriend/girlfriend, or to hug them or even to kiss them during school. Why not? You aren't hurting anyone are you? If the people around you don't like it, they should just look the other way. It really isn't all that big of a deal. Most of the time, the people complaining are simply jealous that they don't have the same kind of relationship you do, or perhaps they don't have a relationship at all.
Just the same, though, I'm not saying anyone should go all out with their 'other' during school time.School is not the place to get intimate with your partner. And though I think it's fine to have PDA's, there certainly is a line that shouldn't be crossed; there are definitely boundaries that should be upheld no matter what. All out making-out all over the place is something that should probably stay outside of school, on your own time, because it's something personal that really is just your business. I very seriously daoubt that any one else wants to se that very much, and they shouldn't have to.
Another thing, clothing should be kept on at all times in the view of public eye. I'm not just talking about school. I mean anywhere that there are other people. What you do when you're alone is your business. I am definitely not telling any of you to make like rabbits, but no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. Guys, there's no reason that you can't give your girlfriend a kiss hello, but it should be just that…a kiss. And keep your hands above the waist (and off the front) because that's also something that you should be doing on your own time.
Public Displays of Affection are fine as long as they adhere to the school rules and to the laws of indecent exposure. By no means should you have to cap your feeling for your 'other' just keep the more passionate feelings zipped up until you get home, okay?

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Cassie's Comments: My thanksgiving prayer
Cassie Orona
11-19-04

" Dear Lord, thank you for giving me air to breathe, eyes to see, ears to hear, this healthy hear to keep me going everyday, thank you for my parents and for my friends for their never ending love, support and comfort. Thank you for the trials that have been placed in my life to make me grow stronger each day. Thank you for the blessings that you've placed in my life even though sometimes I do not deserve it. Forgive me of my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. I thank you again for all that you have done and for all that you will do and are doing for me right now. Amen."
    This is what Thanksgiving means to me. During this holiday, I give thanks for everything that I come in contact with such as family, school, technology, friends, my religion and things that we can all get together and have peace in our lives and just enjoy each other's company. Family means a lot to me and I'm sure it means a lot to you. So this Thanksgiving, give thanks for your family and maybe for the things that I give thanks for as well.
    Face it, the things that I did mention in my Thanksgiving prayer are things that we do take for granted. This brings up a question: Why is it that Thanksgiving is a holiday in which is rarely mentioned as opposed to Christmas or New Years? I mean think about it. Thanksgiving is supposed to be the time of the year where we look back and give thanks for all that we have and for all that's been given to us. Yes, it is true that Christmas and New Years and holidays such as these, are just as important, but they're mostly spoken of because of the presents, the parties and the meaning behind the holiday.
    I'm not saying that Thanksgiving is more important, but it was just a question that I had in mind. Anyway, this Thanksgiving, I encourage all of you out there to yes, stuff your face with food, enjoy your family's company. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Faces In the Crowd: What are you thankful for?
Janae Johnson
11-19-04

Sophomore Cali Romano-Food, Jesus, music, friends, my mom and dad, purple folders, soccer, clothes, shows, pictures, my pool, and the beach.

Senior Danny Sanchez- For being a ninja, our band, my best friend Kevin, Ashley, Hannible, Jo'lene, Jackie, J-dog for taking me to Warped Tour, Giga's, early 90's ninja turtles, sunglasses, the back room, The Bled, The Deftones, toilet paper, stop signs, badgers, the people who come to our shows, Arnold Schwarzenegger 'cus he is turbo man, my mom, The Raiders, The Dodgers, God, and my grandparents who bought me my musical instruments.

Sophomore Larissa Litras- My family, my boyfriend Rudy, and my friends, especially Adreanna who has always been there for me.

Sophomore Jody Hinshaw- My family and friends, and for having all that I do, like my house and my clothes, because some people are less fortunate.

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If I knew then What I know now…
Ilka Hernando
11-19-04

Life would be a lot easier you'd think. But really think about this, wouldn't everything just change? Everything would change. Of course that may be a good thing, and in some cases a different path on the road opening up a new adventure.
    But this really focuses on the major decisions you have made in the past.There are so many decisions you could have made better, and depending on how badly you made them, you're only hurting yourself by beating yourself up inside. You need to come to terms with these decisions and look on the slightest bit of the bright side, like if you hadn't expressed yourself that one time, you wouldn't have said the things you wanted to get off your chest. You wouldn't have figured out that being a teenager is a world in itself, where experiences, both good and bad, were meant to be dealt with in high school while everything is still meaningless and insignificant; not defining your life and who you are. You wouldn't have had the satisfaction of knowing that you raised yourself higher than you expected, and had done the right thing.
    Knowing how something is going to go before it happens is in a way intriguing and less stressful by far, but there's a certain undertone to it. If you already knew what was going to happen, (like really knew, not conjured up educated assumptions that would leave you totally unprepared if it turned the corner sharply) it kind of kills the element of surprise. All right, so there are times when we'd rather not be surprised about the outcome, but isn't that what "life" is all about? One open ended questions after another?
    Yeah, the choices we make to some very important decisions could cause great impact in our lives, but (and there have been a lot of "buts") we need to remember that that is what 'life' is giving us. And however you may want to look at it, God willing or inevitable, we control our choices and how we want to live our lives. We follow what we believe is the correct way to live, and choose from that guideline the correct choices. We can't take things back, so there really isn't a reason to stress over it. All there is left to do is learn from the experience.
    "Live by the knowledge, but do not dwell on it." - Iven Hernando

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Words of Wisdom: If you can call it that
Elysa Arroyo
11-19-04

Have you ever been scared of something? Some people are afraid of the dark, some people are afraid of tight spaces…there are a million things to be afraid of in this world. There's also a word; just one word that scares the crap out of a great deal of high school students. Future.
Have you ever thought about what really happens after high school? How many times have you heard about how cruel the real world is? How many times have you turned on the news, just to hear about someone being raped or killed in a nearby city? Does that ever make you have second thoughts about leaving the protected environment of you parent's homes, and the little bubble we call high school? It's certainly got me thinking.
We've been waiting our whole lives to grow up, to play the game of life on our own. We all want to be able to make our own decisions: When to go to bed, what kind of car to buy, what college to go to, what to major in; but have you ever thought about what would happen if you made the wrong decision? How will you know what decision is the right one? The future is indeed a scary thing to think about.
I don't mean to scare you. I really don't. I'm sure that most of you have it all figured out, or will soon. For most of you, I'm sure that the future is looking bright. This is just something to think about. Now is the perfect time to kick it up a notch and start actually doing your homework. Though high school is supposed to be fun, it's also not a place to play around. You make some really important decisions in high school. It's a brand new year, so just think about what I said. Think about your future.

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A first: District gives students a whole week off
Kyle McKnight
11-19-04

You all know we have an entire week for Thanksgiving this year, right? But did you also know that they took three days out of summer to give it to us? Eh, you probably did, but a better question is do you agree with it? I asked some students what they thought about this loss of summer, and what I learned chilled me to the bone…if by chilled to the bone you mean varied answers.
    Some students believe that we should've had the extra three days in the summer, feeling it was a great injustice to bring us to school earlier than ever before. Take for instance, senior Angela Alarcia told me, "[I'd rather have more of] summer because you don't have to go to school for three more days." But was she right, is it so important to have three more days of summer fun in the heat and lack of lack of heat?
    Perhaps some students would enjoy more Thanksgiving, I thought. Well, as it turn out, they do enjoy Thanksgiving, but as for more is a matter of opinion. I went around and asked, when I came across a senior, Juan Nanderas, who answered whether he'd rather have three days in Thanksgiving or summer, "I like Thanksgiving because I like eating." So there you have it! People like Thanksgiving and so we should have more Thanksgiving. Heck, we should even get two more weeks, and then I guarantee you EVERYONE would love Thanksgiving? But this doesn't really seem to have much to do with whether or not we should have three more days then or now. Ah, who cares?

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How did thanksgiving begin
Alyssa Isgett
11-19-04

Have you ever wondered what really went on at the first Thanksgiving? The Pilgrims didn't eat turkey or pumpkin pie, they didn't dress in black and white, nor did they wear hats or gold buckles. In fact, black and white was worn only for formal occasions such as church. They ate fish and other seafood and it is possible they ate salted venison, pork, or chicken. The first Thanksgiving happened between an unknown date between September 21 and November 9. The Pilgrims didn't eat corn because corn was only good for making cornmeal, and they didn't eat yams because they hadn't been introduced to New England. The closest thing they ate to pumpkin pie was pumpkin pudding, there would be no crust or whipped topping.
As America grew and people moved from New England to the states, they turned what had been a religious holiday into a celebration of abundance, family and nationwide unity. The governor of each state would pick when or if the holiday would even be held.
Today our Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November. We celebrate Thanksgiving annually. However, the Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving for 3 days and it did not repeat the next year. They didn't even call the day Thanksgiving. To them, Thanksgiving was a day where they would go to church and thank God for a specific event.
President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday with the 1863 Proclamation and it was the last Thursday of each November, the date was most likely set to associate with the anchoring of the Mayflower at Cape Cod. President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the national holiday in 1939 to make the holiday the third Thursday of the year to extend the Christmas shopping season. This was approved by congress in 1941.
Many people symbolize Thanksgiving with Pilgrims and Indians. Today we celebrate Thanksgiving annually. We spend the time with our families and friends, being thankful for all the things we have. We eat turkey and pumpkin pie and enjoy each other's company. In schools children learn the story of the Pilgrims and Indians and their harvest celebration.

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It aint just about the Turkey
Arline Cruz
11-19-04

What does Thanksiving mean to you? We spoke with several students and asked them the meaning of the holiday to them. Here's what they had to say:

Ivan Martinez -(sophomore)- "Thanksgiving is a time when family comes together and gives thanks for all they have. They spend time with family and eat and enjoy each others company."

Laura Medina-(junior) -" Thanksgiving is a reminder of the only good time we had shared with our natives and to prove how obsessed this country is with food. We stuff food with food!"

Jorge Contreras-(senior) -"Lots of great food and havoc. There is always someone who ruins it. The drunken auntie, the crazy uncle, the nagging grandma and the quiet grandpa…I hate thanksgiving if the people suck, I love thanksgiving if the people don't suck."

Erica Cruz-(sophomore)- "Thanksgiving is great just like other holidays you get to have some days off and recover from your long weeks at school. You get to spend time with your family and eat too."

Vanessa Hill-(junior)- "Thanksgiving is a great holiday to spend time with your family. You get to eat some pretty awesome food and take a long awaited mini vacation.

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Kiwanis Help community with food baskets
Latoya Brookins
11-19-04

This year for Thanksgiving the Kiwanis organization will be giving away two food baskets to six different schools, twelve baskets total. The schools include Alice Birney, Grant, San Salvador, Wilson, Grand Terrace Elementary, and Wallace Elementary. It will then be left in the hands of the schools to choose students whose family would benefit from this gift. The recipients will receive the basket of goods just in time for the holidays.
To those unfamiliar with the Kiwanis this act of grace seems like a generous and thoughtful gesture to do once a year. However, once you learn more about this group you realize that it is simply an ordinary occurrence. They have been associated with good deeds for years. The organization is known for their tireless efforts when it comes to helping those in need and joining important causes.
"We are the community. We all benefit from the community. It is our responsibility to give back what we can," said Kent Mitchell, the current president of the Kiwanis organization.
A dedicated member for four years, he seems to have a genuine enthusiasm that is sorely lacking in many adults. It is no wonder he remains joyous considering how many opportunities the Kiwanis have had to give back to the community and the country at large.
They have donated money to causes such as juvenile diabetes, the Special Olympics, the Santa Claus Incorporation, and the Cancer Foundation. They have also given money to the above-mentioned schools and each year they give scholarships to three high schools. They have even become a fixture here at Colton High, sponsoring a speech contest in which many prizes are awarded.

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Take it from Shayne, Grandma never heard of some of these cooking methods
Shayne Robinson
11-19-04

Thanksgiving: a special time where you get to spend time with your family, friends and then realize why you don't hang out with them more than once a year. We all know that the real reason that people like Thanksgiving is the dinner. I mean in my house it takes some kind of miracle to get every one sitting down and eating. That miracle is my step mom's turkey. There are many ways to cook a turkey from tofu, and although it's not the first thing you think of when you think Thanksgiving, it shouldn't be the last. There are many flavorful ways to cook tofu turkey. one-way starts with five blocks of firm tofu and a lot of seasonings. There are two ways to cook a turkey the safe, and the unsafe. The safe, Traditional Roast Turkey (unstuffed), Traditional Roast Turkey (stuffed), Oven Cooking Bag Method, Aluminum Foil Wrapped Method, Microwave Oven Method, Braised Method, Covered Roasting Pan, New Orleans Fried Turkey, Grilled Turkey Marinated, Turkey Brine Method, Spiced Apple Cider Brined Turkey
And of course, there's the unsafe: Brown Paper Bag Method, Trash Bag Method, Slow-cooking Overnight Method, Turducken; there is a turkey for every one. Now you're wondering what is turducken? Well that's a chicken in a duck in a turkey, with a sausage stuffing, and there is no vegetarian turducken. No matter how you like your turkey, in a bag, or stuffed with duck, in the ground or wrapped in aluminum foil and then microwaved, your still gonna be eating turkey unless you're eating ham!

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Yellow Jackets to spend holiday stuffing our faces
Janae Johnson
11-19-04

Thinking about Thanksgiving, all that comes to mind is lots and lots of food. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, all that good stuff. Some people have a tradition that they stick to every year. Some, I'm sure, don't even celebrate it at all. How do you spend it? I asked four Colton High students how they celebrated this occasion.

Freshman Damien Holmes- For Thanksgiving I will probably gather with my family and eat a stuffed turkey. I will see if any football games are on T.V. If so I will watch them, if not I will just eat more.

Junior Deonna Moreno- On Thanksgiving we sit at a table and eat a bunch of food. We try to make our parents eat most of it so they can get fat, and so that we wont have to have leftovers for two weeks.

Junior Kevin Estrada-Usually my family goes over to my nana's house and she makes a lot of food for everyone. Well, she always makes a lot of food, but on this day she makes even more.

Sophomore Ashley Taylor-My family either goes up to Lancaster to visit my Grandparents. We also see all of our relatives that live up there. Or we just stay at home and my mom makes a big turkey and trys to get us all fat.

According to these students Thanksgiving means food, family, and even some football! Don't forget to be thankful for everything that you all have, I mean, isn't that was Thanksgiving is all about? I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving this year.

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Why join a club
Robert Campos
11-19-04

Everyone's heard the same announcements; "Today after school the [insert club name] will be meeting ." A lot of people join clubs, after all, there's so many to choose from: you have the Believer's Club, Math Club, GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), FHA (Future Homemakers of America), BSU (Black Student Union), and many more.
But why do people join clubs? Is it the comforting fact of being around others like you? Do you want to make a difference in the community? Do you just want to hang out with your friends in a new and exciting setting? Everyone has their reasons, let's see what they are, shall we?

Josh Lomeli- (junior)
I joined Troupers because acting is my life; I also joined Key Club because I want to contribute to the community, and I'm also in National Honor Society.

Erik Sierra- (senior)
I'm the Vice-President of GSA, and I joined because I wanted to open people's eyes to homosexuality as well as diversity. I think it's important to rid the school of ignorance.

Raychel Quiroz - (junior)
I joined a club because it was really interesting to me, and because one of my bestest friends is in it.

Jessicka Flores- (junior)
I joined the Biology Club because…………I like Biology

Randy Diaz- (junior)
I joined Clay Club because I wanted to meet new people. I actually had no idea who was going to be there.

Heather Moran- (junior)
I joined the Young Republican's Club because I'm very active in politics.

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Teaching Tillema style: Literature and Laughter
Elysa Arroyo
11-19-04

Everyone has a favorite teacher;that one teacher that makes their whole high school experience worthwhile. They teach that one class that makes you want to get up and go to school. For many students, Colton High School's Honors English II and English I teacher, Lucy Tillema, is that teacher. She's a teacher that loves teaching, and cares about her students.
According to Tillema, the best thing about teaching is "getting to interact with and help students. And it's the best feeling in the world to have a student come back and tell you that you've made a difference in their life; that you've made their life better."
Some of you know her as Mrs. 'K', or Mrs. 'T', or even Mrs. 'Tizzle' but no matter what you call her, she is the same great teacher. She's taught English for thirteen years, both at elementary and high schools. She's also taught at Cal Poly Pomona. She now co-runs the National Honors Society (NHS) along with fellow English teacher Kristen Tornero. Oddly enough, even though her student's consider her one of the best teachers they've ever had, she didn't want to be a teacher at first. "I've only ever wanted to change the world; to make it a better place," says Tillema, " I thought I could do it by being a lawyer. When I realized that I could make a bigger difference teaching, I decided to do that." Though teaching is just as demanding as being a lawyer, Tillema says, "Looking back, I now know that I made the right decision." And that's what matters, isn't it?
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite movie: "That's a tough question…Bridget Jones' Diary is definitely top ten."
Favorite ice cream flavor: Chocolate Fudge brownie from Thrifties
Favorite sport to watch: Hockey at the Gretzky Center
Favorite sport to play: Soccer or Softball
Favorite Quote; "Say what you mean, mean what you say"
Person she looks up to: "My son Donny for his intelligence and sense of humor. He inspires me"

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Bradford soaring for success
Cassie Orona
11-19-04

Junior Allen Bradford is a 16-year-old who dreams of being the greatest football player to ever play the game, who's comfortable with being himself, hard working, and a total ladies man! " If you try hard or work hard for what you want, you'll get it," says Bradford. As most of you may know, Bradford is the junior co- captain of the Varsity football team. "Being in Varsity football makes you emotionally feel good. Physically, we get stronger, and mentally, we try to think about something before we do it," says Bradford. "If I knew then what I know now, I would've never made any mistakes in my life. Then perhaps, all this would've probably never happened."
Bradford's role model is his father. "He is always there for me when I need him and he always will be there whenever this football thing stops." Bradford has high expectations of going to the pros and as mentioned earlier, being the best athlete to ever play football. But, like most athletes, school comes first. Without that 2.0 G.P.A., you can't play the sport or participate in the things that you want to do.
"My strengths as a student involves such things as I listen and do my work, but like any other student, my main weakness is that I like to talk a lot." Being a junior makes Bradford " feel good because I'm almost done with high school, but I still have a ways to go. To be the best, you got to know in your head that you're the best and you can't doubt yourself for any reason and under no circumstances." He also adds that if you feel like a superstar, then you should act (or in his case) play like a superstar. " Last thing I want to say is '06 rule this! Don't forget it!"

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Lest We Forget: Marilyn Manson's greatest songs on display
Robert Capos
11-19-04

Marilyn Manson is an artist/band that everyone in the United States has had some form of contact with. Everyone has heard the rumors "He removed his ribs!" "He worships the devil!" "He's gay/bi!" Well you really know you've made it in the business when that many people have heard your name (even if it is negative).
    After parting ways with the band's bassist Twiggy Ramirez in 2002, and then with guitarist John 5 earlier this year, you'd think that the bad boys in make-up would take a little time off to get the creative juices flowing. Manson is currently planning his wedding to Burlesque performer/Playboy Centerfold Dita Von Teese, and the ex members are off doing their own things as well. John 5 just released a solo instrumental album called Vertigo, and Twiggy Ramirez (who's dropped the starlet/serial killer persona of old and gone back to his given name, Jeordie White) currently plays bass in A Perfect Circle, the band featuring Tool front man Maynard Keenan.
    Aside from his wedding, Marilyn Manson (as well as keyboardist Madonna Wayne Gacy, drummer Ginger Fish, and bassist/guitarist Tim Skold) released a new album called "Lest We Forget" on September 28. ("We would have called it a Greatest Hits album, but we don't really have any hits." Manson said in a recent interview.) The album spans the bands' career from their Punk/Goth debut album Portrait of an American Family, to EP Smell Like Children, to alternative breakthrough album Antichrist Superstar, to the Industrial/Glam sounds of Mechanical Animals, to the Metal anthems of Holywood (in the shadow of the valley of death), to the bands' latest effort, The Golden Age of Grotesque, which most fans might think of as a cross between 20's and 30's swing music and metal.
Along with the tracks that got them on the musical map, such as The Beautiful People, and The Dope Show, the new album contains newer tracks such as mOBSCENE, and This is the New *Hit. It also features three of the bands' most promising cover songs; Sweet Dreams (are made of this) (originally by the Eurhythmics), Tainted Love (which was made famous by Soft Cell), and their new cover of Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus. It also features a song called The Long Hard road out of Hell, which was released on the movie adaptation of the comic book Spawn.
    All in all, the album itself wasn't worth 20 dollars, however, the deluxe edition was. It contained the CD itself along with a DVD of all the bands videos to date (minus three; Tainted Love, Personal Jesus, and (s)AINT). Including the making of the video for mOBSCENE, a photo gallery and an alternative video for Disposable Teens. I think that the CD could have been better had there been songs such as Coma White, Angel with the Scabbed Wings, Dissassociative, or Vodevil.
    Overall it was a good CD in which it had lots of fan favorites, and a video collection, but it wasn't really anything fans hadn't heard before. Personally, I'd just go buy the bands' original albums, you can have all of the singles and even better songs. But love them or hate them, Marilyn Manson has been around for a long time and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

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"Saw" Gruesome Gore splatters movie goers
Ilka Hernando
11-19-04

Your heartbeat is pulsating and pounding in a rapid and deep rhythmic beat that is filling your ears and over powering the suspense music which isn't needed anymore to create the tome of the scene. You grip the armrests until your knuckles are white, trying desperately to get a hold on reality. Your mid is racing to figure out who the mad man is (nicknamed "Jigsaw" because of the various mind wrecking situations he puts his victims in). Scene after scene you can ask yourself, "What if that was me? What would I do? How would I react?"
It starts off with a young man named Adam (Leigh Whannel, who wrote the screenplay), Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes), accompanied with a dead man holding a .38 in his left hand and a micro cassette player in his right, placed in an obsessive compulsive's nightmare of a bathroom, both men chained by the ankle on opposite ends of the room. As the story unfolds though several flash backs from different points of view, other characters step into line: Detective David Tapp (Danny Glover), Gordon's wife and daughter (Alison and Diana, played by Monica Potter and Mackenzie Vega), as well as the ever mysterious "Jigsaw."
This movie takes you on a gore and bloody ride, filled with mind games that are entertainingly grotesque. From razors, fire, and the thought of your head being ripped apart from your jaw, this movie makes you scream and sweat for the characters.
There are many cases in thriller movies when you feel the need to root for the "bad guy." Understandable, considering how amazingly obtuse and ineffective the "good guy" seems to go about when put in a deathly situation (i.e. " Why didn't she turn on the lights?" "Why don't they EVER look up?" " Why do they always trip when they are being chased?"). But in this movie, everything the characters are given to work with doesn't give them that many choices to choose from besides "What were they willing to do to stay alive?" Question after question after question… portrayed in a fabulously insane and impossibly forgettable way.
"Can you?" "Could you have?" "Would you be able to?" The only answers to those questions are in the back of your head behind which ice cream flavor you'd rather have at the moment. Both are cold. Both settle in your mind for a while. And both are life dependant.
Rated "R" for strong grisly violence and language (tough luck getting in there without an adult little guys) and 100 min. long.

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Football ends season Undefeated in league enters CIF playoffs as team to beat
Nina Acosta
11-19-04

The adrenaline that flows through your body as you run up the field to score a touchdown or making the winning pass that suddenly puts your team in the lead. Remembering all the long days of practice: the drills, the sweat, and the ambition. Thinking about the past games you've played and how you worked so hard to win each and everyone of them. Thinking about the game your playing now and how tired you are, but you can't seem to think of anything else except winning. This is Colton High football. This is our art of war!!!
    The Yellow Jacket football team dominated in the CBL and doesn't plan to stop with the upcoming first round playoff game tonight at Memorial Stadium against the Santa Margarita Eagles.
    "I think if we come out how we plan to, we'll be tough to beat," says senior captain Travis Boyd.
    The Jackets only blemish was an early season loss to Crenshaw High. They weren't beaten all year in the CBL, taking league for the second season in a row. They finished the year out with consecutive wins against Rialto (a 46-0 shutout), Eisenhower (a 36-13 victory) and A.B. Miller (a 21-0 drubbing).
    Looking back on the season, the Yellow Jackets not only proved themselves in the CBL but set the bar for upcoming varsity players.
    "No one beat us. We proved ourselves. I think our successors will work hard like we did," says junior co-captain Allen Bradford.
    "Yeah, we proved ourselves since we're undefeated. They better keep Colton un- defeated and our '05 seniors proud," added senior Derek Sims.
    Playoffs start tonight. Be there.

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Fall sports Round up
Elysa Arroyo
11-19-04

The fall sports season is over and the winter sports are on their way. Everyone knows what a great success the football team's season was. The other fall sports struggled through their seasons, but most of the participants are at least satisfied, if not pleased with their effort.
Volleyball ended with a season record of 2-14. "Preseason, we were playing so great, we won three games straight," says junior Andrea Lomeli, "but once we hit the regular season, we struggled with the tougher teams."
Golf ended with a record of 2-6. Junior Sara Albiso says, "We struggled, but overall, I think we did well. We're definitely a crazy bunch."
"This season went well despite our record," says junior Ana-Naomi Racataian, Tennis team captain, "We went against more difficult schools and I'm proud of all the girls for stepping it up." Girl's Tennis ended with a record of 2-4 for season and 2-10 overall (includes non-season games).
Boy's cross country ended with a record of 4-3. Junior Joshua Lomeli says, "All our hard-work and endurance really paid off and we had fun working to become a better team."
Girl's cross country ended with a record of 2-6. "This year we did pretty well for being in a new league," says junior Mayra Hernandez. "We ran against really good teams. Next year looks much more promising."
Overall, CHS must commend the fall sports teams for their effort. They may have struggled a bit, but in the end, they did well because they were happy with their accomplishments.

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Colton Soccer Kicks it up in new league
Nina Acosta
11-19-04

Speed, agility, endurance, coordination, power, strength, and flexibility. Long, sweaty days of running constantly, stretches, and drills. Hoping you do not get marked up. The ambition to win the game. This is what it takes to be Colton Yellow Jacket varsity soccer player. In their old league (the San Andreas League, or SAL), the LadyJackets last year recorded a record of 7 wins, 3 losses, and 2 ties, but soon anticipate even more victories in their new home the Citrus Belt League (CBL). The boys team lodged a record of 8 and 3, winning league and making it to the second round of CIF playoffs.
    The girls have high expectations. "This year I expect our team to do well in CBL and improve on our record from last year. I hope we make it to CIF also," says junior Amy Hayden. "We are not intimidated to be in the CBL, we look forward to it. We want to play Yucaipa," says senior Nicole Dimmit.
    Being in an entire new league doesn't intimidate these players. They wait with great anticipation to playing some of the teams. Senior Paul Heredia has high hopes for the boys as well: "We hope to take our success last year and build on it for a great season in the CBL," he says.
    Conditioning for soccer is not for the timid. It takes time and patience for these athletes to get into excellent shape for what they have to endure. They work hard so come out and support your team.

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